Scientists Creating “Artificial Life” in Their Labs Promise World-Changing Benefits — but Are They Playing God?

In “Frankenstein,” a living monster is assembled from scavenged human body parts and leftover animal remains. Throw together some chemicals, zap it with lightning, and voilà — it’s alive!

In the real world, building life is infinitely more complicated, but harnessing life’s existing machinery might be key to solving many of our miseries.

Scientists recently buzzed over SpudCell, a “synthetic cell” bioengineered to mimic the functions of living cells. Assembled in the lab from biomolecules such as proteins, lipids and DNA, SpudCell promises many potential therapeutic benefits.

But are we, like Dr. Frankenstein, playing God?